Presto

18
March 21, 1925.
P R E S TC
ADDITION TO S. E. OVERTON CO.'S PLANT
New Building Solely Devoted to Manufacture of Knock=Down Benches Among New Facilities
for Progressive Industry at South Haven, Mich.
The S. E. Overtoil Company, South Haven, Mich.,
has just added to its plant a large building to be used
solely for the piano bench business. The develop-
ment of the bench manufacture and of the K. D.
Bench idea, has been mainly responsible for this
growth.
The Knock Down Bench was originated in 1918
by S. E. Overtoil, head of the S. E. Overton Co.
Previously all Overtoil Benches had been shipped set
up. This meant a great waste of storage and ship-
ping space. Freights were high, and it was difficult
for the dealer to store matching shades for all pianos
because of the room required.
The K. D. Construction.
The Overton K. D. construction, patented by Mr.
ton plant is the largest of its kind in the country and
continues to grow.
Interesting History.
The success of the S. E. Overton Company is due
to the energy, enterprise and originality of the head
of the company. S. E. Overton, left an orphan in the
early eighties, sold newspapers on the streets of
Chicago. The lessons he learned in this youthful
enterprise have doubtless contributed much to his
practical and energetic handling of business affairs
since.
By 1903 Mr. Overton was sole manager and carver
of a small woodworking shop located on a single floor
on Lincoln street, Chicago. Besides Mr. Overton, the
force consisted of a band-sawer and a sander. But
manufacturers; but in 1914 Mr. Overton decided to
produce and market high grade benches under his
own name. Valuable patents were acquired and much
original research work was done.
The Satisfactory Results.
The results of this ambitious effort are seen in the
busy plant at South Haven and in the opinion of the
trade in its products. The Overton benches are
NEW BUILDING.
The large building
just added to the Over-
ton plant solely for the
manufacture of piano
benches. The Overton
plant is the largest of
its kind in the country,
and occupies 130,000
square feet of floor
space.
Overton, saves the retailer sixty per cent of his
freight and three-fourths of his storage space; and
it results in a much stronger bench. More than a
dozen glue joints were eliminated. As the modern
bench receives a racking, twisting motion when in use
with the player piano, this added strength is exceed-
ingly important. Besides, the simple construction
makes it possible to manufacture a strictly high-
grade bench out of selected materials at the price
of a "seconds" bench.
The K. D. construction is also popular with dealers
all over the country because of the convenience of
the Overton shipping package, which files neatly
away like books on shelves. With the finish labelled
on end, the salesmen can quickly locate the required
shade. The fibre carton perfectly protects the bench
from dust and mars. "Two Minutes and a Screw
Driver" are all that are necessary to set up the bench
for display.
Distinctive Overton Features.
These Overton K. D. features have come to be so
much in demand that more room has become neces-
sary to handle the increasing business. The new
building just taken over by the Overton Company
makes 35,000 square feet of floor space devoted en-
tirely to benches. This added space will greatly facili-
tate rapid and efficient handling of orders. The Over-
his ability and industry were soon rewarded by a
steady increase of business which necessitated hiring
the floor above.
Moves to South Haven.
As the business continued to grow,
Mr. Overton looked for a location
where he could obtain steady, skilled
labor, shipping facilities, and room for
expansion. South Haven was finally
decided upon as the most desirable and
the plant was moved there. Here the
business has prospered and grown un-
til it occupies 130,000 square feet of
floor space and employs nearly three
hundred men. Fine carvings of every
description, bench legs, phonograph
legs, ornamental lamps, builders' mill-
work, brush handles, closed car mold-
ings, and many other specialties are
produced in large quantities. Much of
the machinery has been specially de-
signed and built for the work at great
expense; until perhaps no other plant in the country
is so well-equipped for quantity production of high
grade w r ood specialties.
For some time in the early days the plant made
parts of piano benches in large quantities for other
THE BENCHES IN STOCK.
With tlic finish marked on
pnd, the salesmen fan quick-
ly find the matching shade,
if it's in stock.
BENCH IN CARTON.
Showing how easily it
Klips from the carton. Over-
ton benches ship across the
continent without a scratch.
characterized by the qualities that appeal to the dealer
keen for real values and to his customer appreciative
of artistic design and durable construction. The
modern methods in the manufacturing processes as-
sure to the trade the desirable prices which guaran-
tee fair profit to the retailer. Selling Overton benches
is advantageous in every way. The handling of the
desirable line means a reward in profits and in a
reputation for the sale of benches of real worth.
The Overton factory reports excellent orders for
all the styles in tis varied line, and the activity in
oak, walnut, and mahopany. Shipped K.
I), at a saving of 60 per cent in freight.
turning out the knockdown styles is a marked tribute
to their value to the trade. Spring and summer
promise to be busy periods for the South Haven
industry.
THE OLD FACTORY BUILDING.
A birdseye view of part of the Overton plant at South Haven. The factory now uses over a quarter of million feet of lumber monthly;
piano hammer moldings are produced at the rate of 800 sets a day; and over a million and a half phonograph legs are made yearly.
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